Treasures: Family heirloom's not an antique

Friday

Nov 26, 2010 at 12:01 AMNov 26, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Q: I have an old candy dish that belonged to my mother, who passed away in 1992. My grandfather was born in 1863, and my mother in 1913. I am sending you several photographs, hoping that you can tell me about its origins, age and value. L.M., Bonita Springs, Fla.

Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson/SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE

Q: I have an old candy dish that belonged to my mother, who passed away in 1992. My grandfather was born in 1863, and my mother in 1913. I am sending you several photographs, hoping that you can tell me about its origins, age and value. L.M., Bonita Springs, Fla.

A: "Old" is such a slippery term; it can mean any number of things.

To us, "old" is generally applied to objects that were made in the early 20th century or before, but as we talk to younger collectors, we find that they often feel that the designation "old" can be used to describe any object that predates their birth.

We are often told that objects from the 1960s or, in extreme cases, the 1970s are "very old." This leaves both of us feeling a bit like dinosaurs just waiting to sink into the primordial ooze.

As we read between the lines of this letter, we feel that this dish's present owner may believe this item is older than it really is. Her grandfather had been long dead before this piece could possibly have been made, and her mother was probably well into her middle years.

We can understand how a greater age might be supposed because the children who are holding up the leaf-shaped bowl are dressed in 18th-century-style costumes, but this circumstance is deceptive. Confusion may also arise from the mark found on the bottom, which is the letter "N" inside the letter "C."

Cursory research may lead someone to believe that this is either the mark of the Newcomb College Pottery in New Orleans, or perhaps of Camille Naudot, which worked in porcelain from about 1900 to 1919. Unfortunately, neither of these firms made this covered candy dish.

Instead, a company named Ardalt Inc., which had offices at 95 Madison Ave. in New York City, imported this piece to the United States from Japan. Reportedly, Ardalt did not start importing until 1945, and over the years, it has imported giftware and porcelain items from several countries. However, the vast majority of Ardalt's wares were made in Japan.

A silver-and-red paper label with the Ardalt "A's" and the word "Japan" below accompanies the "CN" mark. It is hard to pinpoint the exact date of manufacture, but we feel it is almost certainly between 1950 and 1975. Therefore, this piece is not an antique in the accepted sense of the term (i.e., something more than 100 years old or something made in a bygone era). It is cute, however, and will probably appeal to those who collect mid-20th-century items, which is a rapidly growing group of enthusiasts.

We are a little hampered in pricing the item in today's question because L.M. failed to tell us the size of this piece. But we feel it is probably as much as 8 inches across, and if there is no damage, the retail price should be in the $45-$60 range. Any damage whatsoever -- a small chip or crack -- would reduce the value by as much as 90 percent.

Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of "Price It Yourself" (HarperResource, $19.95). Contact them at Treasures in Your Attic, P.O. Box 27540, Knoxville, TN 37927 or e-mail treasures@knology.net.

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